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Start Preamble

AGENCY:

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as stress corrosion cracking of the main landing gear yoke pintle housing on a Jetstream series 3100 airplane. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective May 2, 2014.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 2, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-1012; or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to add an AD that would apply to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 3, 2013 (78 FR 72598). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

An occurrence of Jetstream 3100 main landing gear (MLG) failure after landing was reported. The subsequent investigation revealed stress corrosion cracking of the MLG yoke pintle housing as a root cause of the MLG failure. Degradation of the surface protection by abrasion can occur when the forward face of the yoke pintle rotates against the pintle bearing, which introduces corrosion pits and, consequently, stress corrosion cracking.

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to structural failure of the MLG possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane during take-off or landing runs.

To address this potential unsafe condition, BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd issued Service Bulletin (SB) 32-JM7862 to provide instruction for installation of a protective washer fitted at the forward spigot on both, left hand (LH) and right hand (RH), MLG.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 72598, December 3, 2013) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 72598, December 3, 2013) for correcting the unsafe condition; and

Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 72598, December 3, 2013).Start Printed Page 17396

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 66 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 15 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $84,150, or $1,275 per product.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. “Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,” describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.

We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in “Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.” Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Is not a “significant rule” under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-1012; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

(a) Effective Date

(b) Affected ADs

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing Gear.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as stress corrosion cracking of the main landing gear yoke pintle housing. We are issuing this AD to prevent abrasion and subsequent corrosion from building on the main landing gear (MLG) yoke pintle housing. This condition if not corrected could cause structural failure of the MLG resulting in loss of control during take-off or landing.

(f) Actions and Compliance

Unless already done, do the following actions as applicable in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD:

(1) At the next scheduled MLG removal after May 2, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), modify the left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) MLG installation at the forward spigot following the accomplishment instructions of British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JM7862, Revision 1, dated May 7, 2013.

(2) As of May 2, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), do not install any LH or RH MLG on Jetstream Series 3101 airplanes and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes unless it is found to be in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

(g) Credit for Actions Done in Accordance With Previous Service Information

This AD allows credit for the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD if already done before May 2, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), following British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin SB 32-JM7862, original issue, dated April 8, 2013.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: taylor.martin@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.